About the Conference

In February 2017, Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) released its “Water Monitoring and Climate in the Upper Columbia Basin, Summary of Current Status and Opportunities” report led by Dr. Martin Carver. The report outlines the current status of water quality and quantity knowledge in the Columbia Basin. Filling important water data gaps will be a priority in order to support informed decision-making for elected officials, government agencies and water managers. Decisions regarding water allocation, watershed governance, ecosystem health, source water and aquifer protection will become increasingly complex in this era of climate change .

On November 29th and 30th, join the dialogue that will envision creating a Water Monitoring Framework and a shared, Open Source Water Data Hub in the Columbia Basin. The goal of the dialogue is to develop a collective understanding for modernizing water knowledge with useful, reliable, open source data, that is freely accessed, evaluated and applied by users. The time for a coordinated, collaborative, innovative, user friendly, cost effective and open water data platform, has arrived. We will learn about best practices examples from regions in Canada and the U.S. We will have a shared understanding regarding water monitoring and water data storage needs from the perspectives of government (all levels), indigenous and non indigenous engaged water stewardship groups, engaged industry sectors and academia.

Dialogue Outcomes

A vision for a Columbia Basin specific, open source, water data hub.

An understanding for what is required to catalyze a water monitoring framework towards filling important water data gaps for a watershed.

Cross-sector working groups will be formed to move forward on the shared water data hub and the water monitoring framework.

Long-Term Vision – Toward Columbia Basin Water Monitoring Framework

Develop a comprehensive Columbia Basin Water Monitoring Framework and Open Source Water Data Hub, that is supported and implemented by a collaboration of agencies and organizations to address the knowledge gaps; improve water data management; and inform applied science-based decision-making.

Establish partnerships with organizations, agencies, and First Nations to support and guide the Water Monitoring Framework and Data Hub Dialogue and develop subsequent action items.

Prioritize regional water knowledge gaps based on the 2017 CBT report, the WWF National Freshwater Health Assessment, and other sources.

Identify appropriate approaches, partnerships and first steps for collecting and analyzing water data to help address knowledge gaps.

Expand the collaboration of agencies and organizations to address and share information regarding water knowledge gaps.

Develop and populate water database in open source platform.

Link water data with decision-making.

Share lessons on provincial and national scales.

Learn lessons from other provincial, regional scales and other best practices examples.

Ticket Costs Cover

Optional shuttle to local hot springs will be included – hotspring entry must be paid separately by attendee

We have blocked rooms at the Copper point resort where the conference will be held. The resort has offered conference delegates a special off season room rate. Please make sure you notify the resort that you will be attending the Conference to ensure the discount is applied.

Direct reservations can be made by calling the central reservations line at: 1.855.926.7737 or by emailing: reservations@copperpointresort.com, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am – 4pm.

Direct reservations can be made by calling the central reservations line at: 1.855.926.7737 or by emailing: reservations@copperpointresort.com, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am – 4pm.

Bursaries

Bursaries will be available to individuals working with relevant non-profit groups – A limited number will be available. Bursaries will become available when registration opens. Please fill out our bursary application by clicking here.